2010 census lacks citizenship question

This year, the United States Census Bureau is taking heat for question 9 on the new census form which reads: “What is Person 1’s race?” — the second option reads: “Black, African-Am., or Negro.” Census officials defend their decision for the category, saying that a number of individuals wrote in “Negro” in the 2000 census. Actually, the 2000 Census included the same race options as the 2010 census form. However, what is striking in the 2010 census form is the lack of citizenship or birthplace question.

SEE RELATED:

It appears that this is the first census to omit this inquiry. Question 13 of the 2000 census form specifically asked the following.:

Is this person a CITIZEN of the United States?

-Yes, born in the United States—>Skip to 15a

-Yes, born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Northern Marianas

-Yes, born abroad of American parent or parents

-Yes, a U.S. citizen by naturalization

-No, not a citizen of the United States

While the Census website explains that the Federal government has been asking about people’s race since 1790, it neglects to point out that the census has been asking about one’s birth place since at least the 1850 census up through the 2000 census. The 2010 Census website explains the issue, but fails to answer why the form changed suddenly this year. While it may be Constitutional to count every person living in the United States, it should not preclude the Census Bureau from knowing what is the legal status of those living in the country. Here are points from the 2010 census site’s FAQ’s addressing this issue.(bolding is mine):

2. Who should fill out the census form?

The person who owns or rents the house, apartment, or mobile home should complete the form on behalf of everyone living in the residence by April 1, 2010, including relatives and nonrelatives. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living at the address. The person filling out the form should include information about all household members (including himself/herself and infants) who live and sleep at the address most of the time. The person also should include people who are staying there on April 1, 2010, who have no permanent place to stay. The Census Bureau is required by the U.S. Constitution to count everyone in this country, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

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5. How will the 2010 Census differ from previous censuses?

In 2010, every residence will receive a short form of just 10 questions. More detailed socioeconomic information previously collected through the decennial census is being asked annually of a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey. To learn more about the American Community Survey, visit www.census.gov/acs.

Senator Robert Bennett (R - UT) has expressed concern over the 2010 census form lack of a citizenship question, particularly when it comes to congressional representation. Mr. Bennett would like to see a congressional map based solely on the number of United States citizens who are counted.

He told his local paper, the Park Record, “I think it comes closer to the intent of the founding fathers to say while we welcome visitors in the United States, we are going to apportion the membership in the House of Representatives on the basis of citizens or full-time legal residents.” Mr. Bennett has introduced a bill called the Fairness in Representation Act, which would mandate the Census Bureau to include the citizenship question during the counting in 2010, but no hearing was ever held to discuss the bill and Mr. Bennett told the Park Record he plans on reintroducing it again for the 2020 census.

A Washington Times Op Ed reported on the larger role the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda would have in the Census this year.:

Seven Census Bureau partners are part of an umbrella group called the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, an organization that loudly advocates amnesty for millions of illegals.

Leading the way is the National Council of La Raza, whose leaders serve as representatives on the NHLA board and on several committees. La Raza, which means “the race,” was founded on the idea that much of the American Southwest was “stolen” from Mexico and should be returned.

La Raza serves on the NHLA civil rights committee, which advocates legislation making it easier for illegals to vote. Census partners National Institute for Latino Policy and the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute also serve the committee that opposes voter identification and proof-of-citizenship laws.

Pro-amnesty census partners not associated with NHLA include the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Not only does the organization pursue an extreme agenda, but Mr. Jackson’s organization is known for corporate fundraising during which companies are threatened with protests and negative publicity unless they fill the Rainbow PUSH collection plate.

Without a citizenship question on the 2010 census, it should not be a surprise pro-amnesty groups are working with the Census Bureau. In fact, the Census Bureau is hiring and is not necessarily excluding those who are not U.S. citizens from working for them. The Democrats are looking at difficult mid-term elections on the federal, state, and local levels and the Hispanic vote greatly shifted toward President Obama in 2008.

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About the Author

Kerry Picket, a former Opinion Blogger/Editor of The Watercooler, was associate producer for the Media Research Center, a content producer for Robin Quivers of “The Howard Stern Show” on Sirius satellite radio and a production assistant and copy writer at MTV.

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